Sentimental Parents Tour Twin Cities

With children and a camera in tow, happy parents Natalie and Geoff were seen touring the Twin Cities. They stopped at every corner and tree that ever held a place in their brief yet eventful year of living in the great, white north. The children are reported to have been either bored, indifferent or slightly amused by their parents' cataloging of all things memorable and significant, however unmemorable or insignificant.

Sample monlogues:

"William this is the first house you ever lived in," spoken tearfully and with much import.
Picture a tired, run-down duplex on a noisy, congested street. Many cars are parked where William once sat in his bouncy chair, while his grandpa roasted brats. William, being no more than 10 months old when we moved, is unmoved.

"William this where we used to push you in your stroller around the lake, and you saw swallows and red-winged blackbirds," the mother said pointing to the gates of the nature center, which is closed for the night. Well, it really is a great nature center, but of course no one can appreciate it from the back seat of a rented mini van.


Minnehaha Falls

And going way back in time: "William this where we walked when I was 4 months pregnant with you and I ate pop-corn, a corn-dog and corn on the cob, at the same time!" Does this hold any significance? Where next?

We drove by the resale shop in South Minneapolis, where I bought my first ever preggo outfit. "William, William look! That's where I first got maternity clothes to wear. See it?" Geoff circled the block so everyone could get a second look.


First co-op.
First flower shop, hardware store and coffee shop.
First gardening center... oh, they're closed.
Ah, first toy store!


We pointed out every flower box, playground, museum, house we almost bought, statue, fire hydrant, ATM and river crossing that we ever thought might have had an influence or important role in forging our son into the handsome, caring, kind and intelligent young man that he is today.


Here's a new first: All of us together at Minnehaha Falls


Next time we are in Minneapolis we will add a stop at the bunny statue to our list of must see places and things to do.
No children were (permanently) harmed in the Twin Cities Memory Lane Tour.

Alex may be growing up,
but none of us could ever be too big
for a hug from Grandma Nancy.



Alex's party was a full house event.
Full of family, friends and fun.



Speaking of growing up...
if I am no older than I was 5 years ago,
how can these little girls be growing up already?

Let's begin by wishing Alex a happy birthday: Happy Birthday 11 year old boy!

Last night Geoff's grandmother constructed a list describing all of the activities that have been going on in the last week. From Minnesota, Wisconsin and Tennessee we have been enjoying the company of family visitors: Nancy, Kayla, Laura, Gary and Sophie, Jane and Alison, and Lily and Phil. Nancy's list was elaborate and took a group effort to compile, because they have been doing a lot in one week. Some went to Tijuana, some went to Julian, at least 3 trips were made to beaches, and there was the beach volley ball tournament, Old Town, kayaking, surf lessons, the Zoo, antique shopping, birthday shopping, hanging out at Holly and Rich's and Friday we celebrated Alex's birthday with a volcano cake and more friends and family. And even though I didn't participate in half of these activities, I still managed to stay too busy to keep up on Chicken Blog.

A lot of family had early flights home this morning. ( I wonder if they took off before the quake?) I enjoyed their visit, but like most time spent with people you love, it was over too soon. We have two more days to visit with Nancy, Kayla, Sophie, Lily and Phil. I should give them a call and catch up with the plan of the day.